Statistics from 1990 Census of Population and Housing

Electronic Records Reference Report

Introduction

This reference report provides information about data files from the 1990 Census (21st Census) of Population and Housing in the custody of the National Archives. None of the records described contain individual names or identifiers. The data files contain summary statistics on population and housing characteristics, public use microdata samples, or geographic reference data.

Researchers may order copies of the computerized data files for a cost-recovery fee and analyze the records directly, using whatever hardware and software they have. For more information on ordering data files, see: Ordering Information for Electronic Records. Descriptions of the series and data files listed in this report are in the National Archives Catalog. The National Archives Catalog can be searched by title, National Archives Identifier, type of archival material, or keyword.

Summary Statistic Files

• Summary Statistic Data Files from the 21st Census of Population and Housing
  National Archives Identifier: 594337
  

  This series contains summary statistic data tabulated from the response to the 21st Census of Population and Housing (1990 Census). The Summary Tape Files (STF) are basically a set of predefined tables of subject matter for various levels of geography. The catalog description for each STF detail the subject matter and geographic areas covered in the file. Also, the 1990 Census Summary Statistic Data Files Geographic Area Coverage Table provides a comparison of the various geographic areas in the STFs, excluding geographic areas unique to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States, or the Pacific Outlying Areas. STFs 1 and 2 provide data based on the complete count, while STFs 3 and 4 are based on sample data, which are estimates rather than census counts. The Public Law 94-171 files are based on the complete count. The STF 420 (place of work destinations files), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) files, EEO Supplemental Tabulation files, Modified Age/Race, Sex and Hispanic Origin (MARS) files, and Subject Summary Tape Files (SSTF) contain summary data based on sample data.

  The technical documentation for the summary statistic data files consists of basic documentation, data dictionaries, and general documentation. Basic documentation includes that which is necessary to interpret the structure and content of the files, such as instructions on how to use the file, subject locator, lists of tables (matrices), table (matrix) outlines, summary level sequence charts, user notes, and data dictionary. In addition, there is a data dictionary in electronic format for many of the summary tape files, available as a printout and/or an electronic file. Please note that the electronic data dictionary has the same information as the data dictionary in the basic paper documentation. General documentation provides codes and general census information for all of the 1990 Census data either for the United States, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands of the United States, respectively. The general documentation, usually in the form of appendices, includes information such as area classifications, accuracy of the data, and collection and processing procedures.

  This series includes:

  • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape Files 1
    Technical Documentation for all STFs 1: For United States: 91 pages/basic; 84 pages/general; 36 pages/data dictionary (also in electronic format). For Puerto Rico: 84 pages/basic; 62 pages/general; 78 pages/data dictionary. For the Virgin Islands of the United States: 85 pages/basic; 62 pages/general; 35 pages/data dictionary. For Pacific Outlying Areas: 69 pages/basic; 92 pages/general.
    
    
    • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape File 1A (STF 1A)
      National Archives Identifier: 594338
      Data Files: 95 (one or more per state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands of the United States)
      Geographic Areas: 8 selected areas
      (see catalog description or geographic table); geographic areas vary slightly for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
      
      
    • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape File 1B (STF 1B)
      National Archives Identifier: 594341
      Data Files: 501 (one or more per state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands of the United States)
      Geographic Areas: 10 selected areas
      (see catalog description or geographic table); geographic areas vary slightly for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
      
      
    • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape File 1C (STF 1C)
      National Archives Identifier: 594348
      Data Files: 3 (United States)
      Geographic Areas: 11 selected areas
      (see catalog description or geographic table)
      
      
    • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape File 1D (STF 1D)
      National Archives Identifier: 594351
      Data Files: 153 (one per state and the District of Columbia for each Congress)
      Geographic Areas: states; congressional districts (CDs) of the 103rd, 104th, or 105th Congress; and areas within each CD
      (see catalog description or geographic table)
      
      
    • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape File 1 (STF 1), Pacific Outlying Areas
      National Archives Identifier: 649356
      Data Files: 1 (Guam)
      Geographic Areas: election districts and places
      
      
  • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape Files 2
    Technical Documentation for all STFs 2: For United States: 128 pages/basic; 88 pages/general; 35 pages/data dictionary printout (also in electronic format). For Puerto Rico: 94 pages/basic; 62 pages/general; 46 pages/data dictionary printout (also in electronic format). For the Virgin Islands of the United States: 116 pages/basic; 62 pages/general; 48 pages/data dictionary printout.
    
    
    • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape File 2A (STF 2A)
      National Archives Identifier: 594354
      Data Files: 155 (one or more per state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands of the United States)
      Geographic Areas: 5 selected areas
      (see catalog description or geographic table); geographic areas vary slightly for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
      
      
    • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape File 2B (STF 2B)
      National Archives Identifier: 594358
      Data Files: 155 (one or more per state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands of the United States)
      Geographic Areas: 5 selected areas
      (see catalog description or geographic table); geographic areas vary slightly for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
      
      
    • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape File 2C (STF 2C)
      National Archives Identifier: 594369
      Data Files: 48 (United States)
      Geographic Areas: 10 selected areas
      (see catalog description or geographic table)
      
      
  • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape Files 3
    Technical Documentation for all STFs 3: For United States: 199 pages/basic; 178 pages/general; 75 pages/data dictionary printout (also in electronic format). For Puerto Rico: 146 pages/basic; 125 pages/general; 62 pages/data dictionary printout. For the Virgin Islands of the United States: 158 pages/basic; 133 pages/general.
    
    
    • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape File 3A (STF 3A)
      National Archives Identifier: 594370
      Data Files: 273 (one or more per state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands of the United States)
      Geographic Areas: 9 selected areas
      (see catalog description or geographic table); geographic areas vary slightly for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
      
      
    • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape File 3B (STF 3B)
      National Archives Identifier: 594371
      Data Files: 70 (United States; also includes ZIP Code/Block Equivalency files)
      Geographic Areas: five-digit ZIP Codes and county segments of five-digit ZIP Codes when the ZIP Code appears in two or more counties
      (see catalog description or geographic table)
      Technical Documentation: Additional 35 pages for the ZIP Code/Block Equivalency files
      
      
    • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape File 3C (STF 3C)
      National Archives Identifier: 594372
      Data Files: 8 (United States)
      Geographic Areas: 10 selected areas
      (see catalog description or geographic table)
      
      
    • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape File 3D (STF 3D)
      National Archives Identifier: 594608
      Data Files: 153 (one per state and the District of Columbia for each Congress)
      Geographic Areas: congressional districts (CDs) of the 103rd, 104th, or 105th Congress; and areas within each CD
      (see catalog description or geographic table)
      
      
  • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape Files 4
    Technical Documentation for all STFs 4: For United States: 368 pages/basic; 174 pages/general; 1 electronic data dictionary. For Puerto Rico: 326 pages/basic; 129 pages/general; 1 electronic data dictionary. For the Virgin Islands of the United States: 326 pages/basic; 135 pages/general; 1 electronic data dictionary.
    
    
    • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape File 4A (STF 4A)
      National Archives Identifier: 594621
      Data Files: 892 (one or more per state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands of the United States)
      Geographic Areas: 4 selected areas
      (see catalog description or geographic table)
      
      
    • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape File 4B (STF 4B)
      National Archives Identifier: 594640
      Data Files: 2584 (one or more per state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands of the United States)
      Geographic Areas: 6 selected areas
      (see catalog description or geographic table)
      
      
    • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape File 4C (STF 4C)
      National Archives Identifier: 594649
      Data Files: 286 (United States)
      Geographic Areas: 11 selected areas
      (see catalog description or geographic table)
      
      
  • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Public Law 94-171
    National Archives Identifier: 594670
    Data Files: 62 (one or more per state and the District of Columbia; one data file for Puerto Rico redistricting data)
    Geographic Areas: 9 selected areas
    (see catalog description or geographic table)
    Technical Documentation: For United States: 81 pages/basic; 50 pages/general; 18 pages/data dictionary (also in electronic format). For Puerto Rico: 38 pages/basic; 39 pages/general; 31 pages/data dictionary (also in electronic format).
    
    
  • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Summary Tape File 420 (STF 420; place of work destinations files)
    National Archives Identifier: 594654
    Data Files: 52 (one per state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico)
    Geographic Areas: 4 selected areas
    (see catalog description or geographic table); geographic areas vary slightly for Puerto Rico
    Technical Documentation: For United States: 81 pages/basic; 46 pages/general; 1 electronic data dictionary. For Puerto Rico: 68 pages/basic; 36 pages/general; 1 electronic data dictionary. Supplemental documentation in electronic format.
    
    
  • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Files
    National Archives Identifier: 609357
    Data Files: 52 (one for the United States; one per state and the District of Columbia)
    Geographic Areas: 6 selected areas
    (see catalog description or geographic table)
    Technical Documentation: 154 pages/basic; 159 pages/general; 45 pages/data dictionary (also in electronic format)
    
    
  • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Supplemental Tabulation Files
    National Archives Identifier: 623497
    Data Files: 105
    Geographic Areas: varies per tabulation
    (see catalog description or geographic table)
    Technical Documentation: 106 pages for private sector releases; 65 pages for Federal government releases
    
    
  • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Modified Age/Race, Sex and Hispanic Origin (MARS)
    National Archives Identifier: 623819
    Data Files: 13
    Geographic Areas: varies per data file(s)
    (see catalog description or geographic table)
    Technical Documentation: 71 pages (also in electronic format)
    
    
  • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Subject Summary Tape Files (SSTF)
    National Archives Identifier: 609409
    Technical Documentation: 225 pages of general documentation for the series and separate documentation for each subject summary tape file (see below)
    
    

    These files contain 1990 Census data on the following selected population and housing topics:

    • The Foreign Born Population in the United States (SSTF 1)
      Data Files: 5
      Technical Documentation: 132 pages/basic
      
      
    • Ancestry of the Population in the United States (SSTF 2)
      Data Files: 5
      Technical Documentation: 129 pages/basic
      
      
    • Persons of Hispanic Origin in the United States (SSTF 3)
      Data Files: 2
      Technical Documentation: 131 pages/basic
      
      
    • Characteristics of Adults with Work Disabilities, Mobility Limitations, or Self-Care Limitations (SSTF 4)
      Data Files: 12
      Technical Documentation: 116 pages/basic
      
      
    • The Asian and Pacific-Islander Population in the United States (SSTF 5)
      Data Files: 2
      Technical Documentation: 130 pages/basic
      
      
    • Education in the United States (SSTF 6)
      Data Files: 1
      Technical Documentation: 269 pages/basic
      
      
    • Metropolitan Housing Characteristics (SSTF 7)
      Data Files: 35
      Technical Documentation: 425 pages/basic
      
      
    • Housing of the Elderly (SSTF 8)
      Data Files: 4
      Technical Documentation: 212 pages/basic
      
      
    • Housing Characteristics of New Units (SSTF 9)
      Data Files: 3
      Technical Documentation: 271 pages/basic
      
      
    • Mobile Homes (SSTF 10)
      Data Files: 3
      Technical Documentation: 249 pages/basic
      
      
    • Employment Status, Work Experience, and Veterans Status (SSTF 12)
      Data Files: 2
      Technical Documentation: 117 pages/basic
      
      
    • Characteristics of American Indians by Tribe and Language (SSTF 13)
      Data Files: 2
      Technical Documentation: 138 pages/basic
      
      
    • Fertility (SSTF 16)
      Data Files: 2
      Technical Documentation: 178 pages/basic
      
      
    • Condominium Housing (SSTF 18)
      Data Files: 3
      Technical Documentation: 231 pages/basic
      
      
    • The Older Population of the United States (SSTF 19)
      Data Files: 5
      Technical Documentation: 647 pages/basic
      
      
    • Journey to Work in the United States (SSTF 20)
      Data Files: 3
      Technical Documentation: 173 pages/basic
      
      
    • Characteristics of the Black Population (SSTF 21)
      Data Files: 14
      Technical Documentation: 360 pages/basic
      
      
    • Earnings by Occupation and Education (SSTF 22)
      Data Files: 14
      Technical Documentation: 76 pages/basic
      
      
      

Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS)

Record Group 29: Records of the Bureau of the Census

• Public Use Microdata Files (PUMS) from the 21st Census of Population and Housing
  National Archives Identifier: 626804
  

  This series contains subsample information from the full census sample of those housing units that received the long-form questionnaires (received by approximately 15.9% of all housing units in the United States; approximately 15% of all housing units in Puerto Rico; and 10% of all housing units in the Virgin Islands of the United States). The records consist of the characteristics of each unit and the persons living in the unit. In the United States 3% (Elderly) sample files each housing unit contains at least one person 60 years of age or older. Data files in this series include:

  • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Public Use Microdata Sample, United States 1% Sample
    Data Files: 52 (one per state and the District of Columbia; one for the entire United States)
    Technical Documentation: 347 pages
    
    
  • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Public Use Microdata Sample, United States 3% (Elderly) Sample
    Data Files: 51 (one per state and the District of Columbia)
    Technical Documentation: 347 pages
    
    
  • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Public Use Microdata Sample, United States 5% Sample
    Data Files: 62 (one or more per state and the District of Columbia)
    Technical Documentation: 347 pages
    
    
  • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Public Use Microdata Sample, Puerto Rico 1% Sample
    Data Files: 1
    Technical Documentation: 173 pages
    
    
  • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Public Use Microdata Sample, Puerto Rico 5% Sample
    Data Files: 1
    Technical Documentation: 173 pages
    
    
  • Census of Population and Housing, 1990: Public Use Microdata Sample, Virgin Islands of the United States 10% Sample
    Data Files: 1
    Technical Documentation: 191 pages

Geographic Reference Files

Record Group 29: Records of the Bureau of the Census

• Geographic Reference Files from the 21st Census of Population and Housing
  National Archives Identifier: 626739

  This series contains the geographic reference files the Bureau of the Census used to administer the 1990 Census of Population and Housing. This series includes:

  • TIGER/Line Files, 1990 Issuance
    National Archives Identifier: 626755
    Data Files: 36,346
    Technical Documentation: 137 pages; 28 electronic documentation files

    The TIGER/Line, 1990 Issuance files are an extract of selected geographic and cartographic information from the Census TIGER database. The files consist of line segments representing physical features and governmental and statistical boundaries. The boundary information in the files are for statistical data collection and tabulation purposes only. The files provide digital data for all 1990 census map features and boundaries, the associated 1990 census final tabulation geographic area codes (such as 1990 census block numbers), and the codes for the January 1, 1990 legal and statistical areas on both sides of each line segment of every mapped feature. This version also contains the final voting district codes and the 1990 census designated place names.

  • TIGER/Line Files, 1992 Issuance
    National Archives Identifier: 626769
    Data Files: 39,911
    Technical Documentation: 232 pages; 20 electronic documentation files
    

    The TIGER/Line, 1992 Issuance files are an extract of selected geographic and cartographic information from the Census TIGER database and contain the same data as the TIGER/Line, 1990 Issuance (see above). The TIGER/LINE, 1992 Issuance files also include records that show additions, corrections, and updates made to the geographic entities and codes since the 1990 census.

  • Census Tract/Block Numbering Area Outline Maps [PDF Map Files for the 1990 Census, Recreated]
    National Archives Identifier: 634196
    Data Files: 3,310 PDF-format Map Files
    Technical Documentation: 164 pages; 56 electronic documentation files
    

    These files show the boundaries and numbers of the census tracts for which the Bureau of the Census tabulated data from the 1990 Census, as well as the named features underlying those boundaries. The maps are available in sets for each county or statistical county equivalent in the United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas of the United States (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and Virgin Islands of the United States).

Special Tabulations with 1990 Census Data

• School District Summary Data from the 21st Decennial Census of Population and Housing, 1988 - 1994
  National Archives Identifier: 610831
  Data Files: 157
  Technical Documentation: 462 pages (also in electronic format); 186 pages of supplemental documentation
  

  This series contains social, economic, and demographic data tabulated for each of the 15,274 public school districts in the United States at the time of the 1990 Census.

Related Information

The U.S. Census Bureau makes some technical documentation related to the 1990 Census of Population and Housing data files available on its website at: http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html

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